Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 3 . SYDNEY
Tips It’s a Festival!
If you happen to be in Australia in January, then plan to attend one of the
many events that is part of the annual Sydney Festival. The festival kicks
off just after New Year’s and continues until the last week of the month,
with recitals, plays, films, and performances at venues throughout the city,
including Town Hall, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Sydney Opera House,
and Darling Harbour. Some events are free. “Jazz in The Domain” and
“Symphony in The Domain” are two free outdoor performances held in
the Royal Botanic Gardens; each event (which generally takes place the
third and fourth weekend in Jan) attracts thousands of Sydneysiders. For
more information, contact Festival Ticketek (& 02/9266 4111; fax 02/9267
4460). Buy tickets and find out about performances on the Web at www.
sydneyfestival.org.au.
such as Aboriginal performances and dance. 25 Belvoir St., Surry Hills. & 02/9699
3444. Tickets around A$34 (US$22).
Capital Theatre Sydney’s grandest theater plays host to international and
local productions, and major bands and songsters, including the likes of (cough)
Australian singing superstar Kylie Minogue. It’s also been the Sydney home of
musicals such as Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady. 13–17 Campbell St., Haymarket, near
Town Hall. & 02/9320 5000. Ticket prices vary.
Her Majesty’s Theatre A quarter of a century old, this large theater is still
trawling in the big musicals. Huge productions that have run here include Evita
and Phantom of the Opera. 107 Quay St., Haymarket, near Central Station. & 02/9212
3411. Ticket prices average A$55–A$75 (US$36–US$49).
Wharf Theatre This wonderful theater is situated on a refurbished wharf on
the edge of Sydney Harbour, just beyond the Harbour Bridge. The long walk
from the entrance of the pier to the theater along old creaky wooden floorboards
builds up excitement for the show. The Sydney Theatre Company is based here,
a group well worth seeing whatever production is running. Dinner before the
show at the Wharf’s restaurant offers special views of the harbor. Pier 4, Hickson Rd.,
The Rocks. & 02/9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au. Ticket prices vary.
THE CLUB & MUSIC SCENE
JAZZ, FOLK & BLUES
The Basement Australia’s hottest jazz club also manages to squeeze in plenty
of blues, folk, and funk. Pick up a leaflet showing who’s playing when at the
door. Acts appear every night, and it’s best to book ahead. 29 Reiby Place, Circular
Quay. & 02/9251 2797. Cover A$15–A$20 (US$9.75–US$13) for local acts, A$20–A$40 (US$13–
US$26) for international performers.
side-on café Known by locals as one of the few live venues in Sydney to
showcase deliciously diverse jazz nearly every night of the week, this surprisingly
decent restaurant is part of a multi-arts complex and serves a two-course meal
for A$27 (US$18). Patrons are a cross-sectional blend of artists, musicians, and
various other assorted jazz lovers. The side-on endeavors to promote upcoming
local talent as well as established acts and is also home to an art gallery upstairs.
Located just over 5km (3 miles) from the center of town, it’s not all that central
but is very easily reached by public transport and well worth the detour. Daily